




ORIENTAL 

AMUSING, INSTRUCTIVE, AND MORAL 

LITERAEY DIALOGUES; 

COMPRISING THE 

^ LOVE AND DISAPPOINTMENT i 

o.;>o gg 

11 A TURK OF RANK IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON. || 



) By CHRISTOPHORUS PLATO CASTANIS, 

'■ OF 8CI0, GREECE. / 

' Author of an Essay on the Ancient and Modern Greek Languages ; Interpretations 

) of the Attributes of the Principal Fabulous Deities ; The Greek Captive ; ) 

) The Jewish Maiden of Scio Citadel ; and the Greek Boy ) 

( in the Sunday School. / 



BOSTON : 
JOHN PUTNAM, PRINTER. 



81 Cornhill. 

( 
( 



1850. 



1 — . — — . . — 

y^ Eijtereil according to art ot Conffress in the year 1849, hy Christophorug Plato 
^''j|^ Ciistani:i,in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 

>L^O''--^vx-^^-_ _^S^W.WW.W^.,^^ .-...^.-.^■^.-^^^^-i^Zi-^^ 




/ 



ORIENTAL 

AMUSING, INSTRUCTIVE, AND MORAL 

LITERARY DIALOGUES; 

OR 

LOVE AND DISAPPOINTMENT 

OF A 

TURK IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON. 

COMPRISED IN TWO DIALOGUES. 



By CHRISTOPHORUS PLATO CASTANIS, 

OF SCIO, GREECE. 

Author of an Essay on the Ancient and Modern Greek Languages ; Interpretations 

of the Attributes of the Principal Fabulous Deities ; The Greek Captive j 

The Jewish Maiden of Scio Citadel ; and the Greek Boy 

in the Sunday School. 






s^ 



BOSTON : 
JOHN PUTNAM, PRINTER. 

81 Cornhill. 
"T3497 



PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUES. 

SOPHOLOGIOTATOPANTACHOUPERIPLANOMENOS (Greek) . 

Tenbel Effendi . . , . (Turk). 



The p'lot of the first Dialogue is as follows : A Turk of noble 
family visiting Washington, meets a Greek, one of the survivors 
of the Sacred Band ; a spirited dispute arises at the reception of 
the news of the battle of Navarino (1827). After a warm de- 
bate on politics, the Turk details his adventures in the American 
social circles, and ends with an amusing and pathetic love-story, 
told with the simplicity of an unsophisticated Osmanlie. 

Plot of the second Dialogue. The same Turk, several years 
after, meets the Greek under the portico of the Parthenon ; he is 
recognized, and, at the Greek's request, details the sequel of his 
love adventure in America. The Turk had frequented the uni- 
versities of Europe, and is no more a simple Osmanlie, but a 
Platonic Turk. A philological discussion takes place on the 
pronunciation of the Greek language, and terminates in a warm 
deliberation how they can republicanise Turkey, and unite it with 
the Greece of the Greeks. 



Note. — These Dialogues were composed one year before the 
late revolutions of Europe took place. 



DIALOGUES, 



THE GREEK SOLILOQUISING. 

FIRST DIALOGUE. 

Scene in Washingto7i City. 

Greek (soliloquising). Here I am, at last, brought 
to the Capital of the New World ? Oh fickle fortune ; 
Oh my luckless nation ! You first cast me on Olym- 
pus, among the lightning-rent crags of nature ! There 
Freedom kept me till the trumpet-call of Mars sum- 
moned her warriors to the plains of Thrace. Out of 
the three hundred of my comrades, of the Sacred 
Band, who fell the first martyrs to seal the freedom 
of their country, I am one of the ie\Y^ who, buried in 
their blood and covered by their holy corses, wound- 
ed and senseless, were brought to life by Heaven and 
the benevolence of man. Sweet, sweet indeed, was 
the death of those who fell in Freedom's behalf, for 
urged by the proud blood, that flowed in their veins, 
and having imbibed the teachings of their glorious 
progenitors, that a Greek must be free, like a band of 
Spartans they attacked the myriads of Turks beyond 
the Danube, and hastened their precious lives to the 
realms where patriots are destined ! Thus abandoned 
by fortune, 1 became a wanderer. Disguised, I tra- 
versed merciless Austria — I entered the hospitable 
German States ; penetrated generous France ; reached 
powerful England, and there my country entrusted 
me with a heavy charge, and hastened me to the free 
shores of America. 

The prospect before mo is the realization of Plato's 
Dream of Atlantis. The institutions of America, 



4 THE GREEK SOfcTLOQUISING. 

thronging in their subhmity and beauty, dazzle my 
vision, Hke the vesture of ancient Greek magnificence. 
The mantle of Hellenian glory has fallen here; but 
what were all those forms worth, if sonl was wanting 
to identify the American popular sway with the Greek 
democratic policy? Nothing, absolutely nothing! 
America might have been filled, like Italy, with Greek 
splendor of /orm, but remained dead in spirit ! There 
has been a resurrection of the pure Athenian idea of 
popular government, based on tolerance, industry and 
knowledge ! Those columns, porticoes and domes 
before me, belong to the people whose delegates draw 
closer and closer the bonds of the modern Amphyc- 
tyonic league. 

How altered are the relations of my country to the 
world ! Two thousand years ago, Greece was the 
centre of human energy and thought, now she is the 
sufferer of insult from the inhuman policy of the West 
and the tyranny of the East. She is battling against 
her despots, where with her look and her tone she 
anciently awed the world. Egyptians then were her 
porters, now they slay her children. Turks and Scy- 
thians were once her tributaries, now they are in her 
citadels. Gauls and Britons at one period sent their 
kings to prostrate themselves before the Greek Empe- 
ror, but lo ! we are empireless, and struggling for a 
home ! Liberty has been driven to the New World, 
reserved by Providence as the Armasreddon of Grecian 
policy. Plato need no longer dream of an Atlantis, 
far beyond the seas. Here, five thousand miles from 
home, I see what the spirits of my ancestry have been 
doing, during the distress of my country. Every col- 
unm and every slab bear the stamp of a primeval 
mind, moving a universe of popular elements ! These 
United States, like stars^ in their orbits and transits 
emit the sphere-music which celebrates their deliver- 
ance from chaotic European despotism. 

Such prospects contribute courage and hope for my 
final consolation. The words of sympathy heard in 
the halls of the Common Council of this people will 



THE NEM^S OF NAVARINO. 5 

be audible in the fate of my country. The echoes of 
such tones cannot die. They are superliuman, and 
defy the expanse of ocean to check their restoration 
to their earhest field of promise, " the first garden of 
Liberty tree ! " The mental Heraclidse will return to 
the Peloponnessus. Minerva will resume the sove- 
reignty of Attica. Shall Greece remain enslaved 7 
No ! let her become the America of the Old World ! 

Hark ! What is the confusion without? Some 

important news has arrived. 

Turk^ aside. (Enters bearing a journal.) What a 
restless mind these Greeks have ! Sometimes they 
talk to themselves ; at other times they are so occupied 
with their thoughts, heavenly and terrestrial, that their 
sight is obscured ; they cannot see material objects, 
until they are forcibly roused from their reveries 
(touching him). Hey ! friend Philologist, Sopho- 
logiotatopantachouperiplanomenos ! Good morning. 

Greek, Ah ! ha ! Tenbel Effendi, good morning. 
What's the news ? There must be some, for your pipe 
and coffee have never before permitted you to call on 
me so early. You look joyous from beard to slipper; 
I fear you are not a propitious messenger. What is 
the news ? 

2\ I don't know what, (handing him the news- 
paper,) here it is painted, please give it to me in 
Turkish. The Americans speak so fast, that I have 
not been able to get at the sense of their conversation, 
which is full of Navarino, Turks, Franks, England, 
France and Russia. This paper was thrown into 
my room at five o'clock, by a person whom I was 
too stupified by sleep to see. Do give me the Turk- 
ish. 

G. Let me first peruse the original by myself 

T. (Aside.) Has the Sultan pardoned the rebels, 
and peace been restored ? If so, 1 shall rejoice, for I 
love peace, and I show it when I go to battle, by the 
promptness and courage with which I finish the dis- 
agreeable business of killing. Nothing less than peace 
could cause this boisterous joy among these Demo- 
1=^ 



6 GREEK TRANSLATES THE EDITORIAL NOTICE. 

cratic infidels. (AloLid.) Let us hear what the news 
really is. 

G. Wait a momentj Tenbel Effendi, (lively) wait 
a moment. 

T. For yonr Gospel's sake, explain to me, in 
Turkish, what do this people give me to understand 
about Navarino, as my drogman (interpreter,) is not 
present. 

G. Raise your turban from your ears and give an 
ear to what this paper says. (Reads.) " During six 
years our columns have presented bulletins to the 
anxious minds of the philanthropist, the scholar and 
the Christian, respecting the struggles of Greece, the 
mother of science, liberty and lore. We have detail- 
ed the immense sacrifices made by her sons and 
daughters on the altar of nationality. The myriads 
of innocent Sciots and Cydonians, slaughtered by the 
faithless and barbarous Turk, have distressed the 
friends of civilization, throughout the globe. (Here 
T. pulls his beard.) The heroic actions of the Suli- 
otes, Hydriotes, Spartans and Rumeliotes, have ex- 
cited the wonder of statesmen and philosophers. 
The millions of Greeks, sacrificed in -massacre, in 
battle and in the explosions of fortresses and ships, 
have not been without influence in moving reluctant 
monarchs to pay a pompous and decisive tribute to 
liberty. The event which we announce, is the ex- 
pression of Europe's gratitude to the land which 
gave to her the light of civilization. England, France 
and Russia have annihilated the Egyptian and Turk- 
ish fleet. By the providence of God, the squadrons 
of Barbaric power have been concentrated in the har- 
bor of Navarino. The Allied Powers, to arrest the 
tortures inflicted on innocent women and children by 
the murderous minions of the Turkish despot, sealed 
Grecian independence in the blood of five thousand 
Turks and Egyptians. (Here the Turk presses his 
lips and pulls his beard.) The news of this deliver- 
ance has enlivened every land, where Hellenic lore 



WHY THE AMERICANS REJOICE AT GREEK SUCCESS, 7 

and law have gained a footing. Navarino is the Sa- 
lamis of this age of Grecian h'ght ! " — 

Merciful Heaven ! 1 thank thee that my nnfortu- 
nate country has been relieved from the scourge of 
Mohammedanism ! I thank thee, O Lord of battles, 
that this planet displays a residue of solid compassion, 
ready and effective at this last crisis 1 

T. (holding his beard.) Thus the Christians — I 
despise their faith — flatter us with one hand and 
assault ns with the other! Perfidious Franks! The 
Russians have exhibited contempt for treaties and 
broken the law of nations. They sent us gold to pay 
for extirpating their correligionists, and now they 
have sent us sulphur and iron to pay us death for our 
alliance! How inconsistent are all infidel govern- 
ments ! Notwithstanding the faithless character of 
Christian kings, 1 cannot conceive why the tolerant 
American republicans should sympathize with the 
Greeks, who are protected by moiiarchies. How can 
democrats sympathize with the pets of royalty ? 

G. This sympathy is not with men, but with prin- 
ciples. 

T. But what do Americans know of the Greeks, 
being so far removed, and having almost no commu- 
nication with them 7 Why do the backwoodsmen 
congratulate your country for her success 1 

G. My answer may be traced in the outlines of 
yonder Capitol That edifice suggests a Grecian 
reminiscence. Its columns represent the masts of 
the victorious Athenians at Salamis: its domes re- 
mind one of the pavilion of Xerxes. 

T. What pride or enthusiasm can Americans de- 
rive from Greek reminiscences 7 Are the natives of 
this country descended from Greeks? 

G. No. Their genealogy is of that noble kind, 
which depends not upon the material succession of 
bodies. The American minds, by imbibing Grecian 
principles, have become initiated into that fraternity 
of thought, which binds the two nations together. 
This is a sublime brotherhood; this descent tran- 



8 THE TURK RELATES HIS DREAM. 

scends the boast of hereditary noblemen, and of those 
unprincipled knaves who appeal to heraldry for a 
sanction to their vices. They rejoice with the 
Greeks, at the Christian victory, gained at Navarino. 
T. (Aside.) Unparalleled misfortune ! Truly, 
I am cast among the worst of ghiaonrs! (ox-faithed.) 
How does the Prophet greet the throng of Martyrs, 
rushing from Navarino? Alas! Since the days of 
Soliman, surnamed the Glory of Turkey, such a dis- 
aster has never befallen us. It is far, tar more dis- 
tressing than the overthrow of Bajazet, by Timur 
Leng. But let us submit humbly to the decree of 
Allah. It is criminal to curse Fate. (Kihsmet.) 
Musulman retrogradation is commenced. Would to 
Allah that I were at home to inspire my countrymen 
to roll back the tide of war upon Greece. 

G. Grieve not, Son of Islam. It is not your 
race, but your tyrannical government, caused by 
your religion, which exposes your lives to Christian 
assault. Meditate not revenge, for it is too late. 

T. (Aside.) How grating to my ear, is advice, 
given by a people four hundred years enslaved to 
our sway ! How distressed I am, how I am tainted 
by the very scenery of America. The women bear 
on their heads the effigy of my disgrace, and flannt 
before me their monstrous Navarino bonnets ! Why 
this ridicule? were the Turks cowards, to have 
women personate them ? The true Moslem never 
has bowed to a foe. 

G. Pray, why, Tenbel Effendi, did you quit 
your country at this crisis, when the crescent is 
overshadowed by the cross? 

T. Through a desire of seeing the seven climates 
of the Old World, and to act in accordance with a 
heavenly dream I had. 

G. Is yonr Turkish globe round or flat? 

T. Flat, indeed, with the exception of the moun- 
tains. 

G. What gave rise to your astronomical and ge- 
ographical excursion ? 



A DISPUTE ON AMERICAN POLITICS. V 

T. The dream I had. Methonght I stood in the 
mosque of St. Sophia, amid an assembly of prophets, 
saints and martyrs. A thousand delightful perfumes, 
in succession flattered my senses. 1 kissed the hand 
of our great Prophet Mohammed ; it smelt of roses 
and saffron. Abubekr, Aly and Othman embraced 
me, and thrilled me with the odor of jessamine, 
musk, carnations and oranges. I prostrated myself 
before Allah, and made my customary prayer for 
shifaat, that is "integrity," but stammering on the 
word I said rifFaat, that is " traveling" ! He had 
scarcely finished, when the congratulations of my- 
riads of glorified Turks broke my slumber. I related 
my dream to the grand Mufti, to the chief astrologer, 
and lastly to the Sultan himself. They all coun- 
seled me to travel, in obedience to the divine injunc- 
tion. It was determined that I should first visit this 
Yengi-dunia, (New World,) which the American 
linguists, corrupting the original Turkish word, call 
Yankee land. My charge was that of getting rati- 
fied the treaties. 

G. What treaties? those which Decatur, by his 
bravery, caused the Algerines to sign? 

T, The Sultan did not wish that his people 
should see the mouths of Decatur's cannon, and 
therefore, the Algerines were left to shift for them- 
selves. One treaty which I wish to secure is, that 
American citizens, in Turkey, may be brought under 
Turkish jurisdiction, for debts. 

G. Was that all your business? 

T. Also to take notes of the country. 

G. What notes? Do you intend to play the 
Dickens with this nation? 

T. I intend to write what T please of a people 
that rejoices in the success of the Greek rebels, and 
is now endeavoring to open a commercial alliance 
with us ! 

G. As Mussulmans boast themselves lovers of 
justice, I hope you will give a faithful representation 



10 A DISPUTE ON AMERJCAN POLITICS. 

of the nature of this Democracy. Any concealment 
of its benefits would be injustice. 

T. Y)o you nriean the government of the people? 

G. I mean their flourishing state, produced as it 
is by their votes. 

T. Why should I give any report of their political 
forms? Are the people the governors 7 Have the 
people a genius for politics 7 

G. Their representatives abide by the will of the 
majority. 

T. It appears to me you are correct. I suspected 
that the majority ruled, although at first I imagined 
that the name Democracy, or people's power, was a 
mere catch-word. But can this term Democracy be 
pleasing to Allah, who styles himself King of Kings, 
and not King of the People ] 

G. You may rest assured that the people rule 
here. Mind, and not hereditary title, qualifies their 
leaders. 

T. What of that? 

G. Will you not, in Turkey, at least, proclaim 
their prosperity, a prosperity v/hich depopulates the 
domains of the kings of Europe ? 

T. Proclaim the effect of such laws in Turkey, 
My head would leap from its shoulders. Besides, 
I think that the people ought not to govern ; they 
should attend to their own business. 

G. Turkey would flourish gloriously under a 
Democracy. 

T. What? The Sublime Porte would flourish, 
if ruled by the people ! ha, ha, ha ! I should laugh 
to see the Divan listening to the dictates of the hair- 
brained Albanians, the scurvy Gypsies, the coarse 
Turkmans, the Bedouin scum of Syria, the banditti 
of Hourdistan, the dog worshipping Druses, and the 
Egyptian Fellahs ! The mountain-backed Hamals, 
(porters) would throw down their packs, and with 
their caliced shoulders bolster the fate of Islam and 
Memaluke Alye, (Sublime Realms.) Hah! hah! 
hah ! This would never do. Let us not blaspheme. 



THE GREEKS, THE RUSSIANS. 11 

Pray what were kings made for? See what har- 
mony exists in hives where kings and queens rule. 
Are thrones and crowns mere playthings? 

G. The time will soon come when freedom of 
thought will cause kings to be exhibited only in 
toyshops, 

T. Spit in your bosom, for you use profane lan- 
guage. Seven years ago, you could not have used 
such monstrous blasphemy with impunity ! Do yon 
think that popu'ar eloquence will drown the roar of 
the unmuzzled Lion of Stamboul? (Constantinople.)* 

G. Education begets eloquence, and now that 
Greece is free, its tones will ring about the frontier of 
your realm, teaching your subjects the advantages of 
freedom. 

T. The scimetar will be used to the last as our 
point of argument, if we cannot use our tongues. 

G. But that point of argument has just been 
blunted at Navarino. You cannot resharpen it 
against the diplomatic whetstone of Europe. The 
nations that use the sword will perish by the sword. 
Greece will surpass you in political intrigue. You 
have given her an inch, and soon she will snatch an 
ell. The Russians will also give you work to do. 
Watch their double-headed eagle. 

T. Don't mention the word Russian, for your 
faith sake, I detest the Muscovites for their perfidy. 
I prefer to view the frown of a Greek to the glitter of 
a Muscovite bayonet. 

G, The Russians will take Constantinople, ac- 
cording to a Turkish prophecy. 

T. Never, the yellow-haired Ghiaours ! 'Tis a 
vulgar prophecy, not sanctioned by inspiration. It 
is better that we fall beneath our legitimate foes, the 
Greeks; for there is more comfort in suffering from 
a time-sanctioned enemy, than to succumb to a 
northern upstart. Better be crushed by an olive 

* Stamboul is the abbreviation of the Greek sentence, tig Ttjv nUiv 
in the city. 



12 THE MOHAMMEDAN LOVES NOT LOQUACITY. 

branch than by an avalanche ! The polar bear shaH 
not bask in the crescent. Turkey lives yet. Earth 
trembles at the Navarino treachery. Allah, and 
Mohammed rouse the faithful to vengeance ! 

G. The eloquence of a taciturn people comes 
too late ! 

T. It speaks like lightning from the blackest 
cloud ! 

G. It madly strikes, without aim, and bruises it- 
self in the earth. The flash of a cultivated mind does 
good execution. 

T. As tlie thunderbolt of fallen Bajazet was re- 
sumed by the conqueror of Constantinoj)le, so that of 
Mahmoud will find the arm of a future avenger. 

G. There is no longer any hope for your nation. 
It arose to its acme and now approaches its fall. 
The progress of Christendom in invention has increas- 
ed her warlike resources. She is able by her brazen 
pacificators to thunder law to your Sultan. Her su- 
perior education is her palladium. Minerva stands in 
view of the enlightened mind on the Athenian Acro- 
polis, in all her mythic dignity 1 She has regained 
the aegis of her native sky 1 Jove's bolts echo about 
her domain to protect her sovereignty. Can the ig- 
norant Turk oppose the progress of civilization east- 
ward ? Islamism and Christianity have had their 
final issue. Greece, thanks to heaven, is free, and 
the hammer of the universe has struck the fatal toll 
of Moslem supremacy ! 

T. How disagreeable to me is the idea of elo- 
quence being substituted for the Sultan's nod ! I lik© 
not loquacity. 1 am opposed to demagogues and 
sophists. The silent nod of an emperor has a sublim- 
ity which far surpasses all your Congress debates. 
Go and see the American senators and representatives. 
Where is their obsequiousness? where is their rev^ 
erence for superiors 7 View them, beardless, as they 
are! dressed as they please; look at their attitudes, 
as they sit on their chairs ! See their chief, who goes 
out or comes in un reverenced and often unnoiicedj or 



THE Turk's opinion op American ladies. 13 

sneered at. This would not do in Turkey, nor in 
Europe, nor in any other part of the world. What 
sublimity is there in such legislativ^e powers? The 
Americans and Greeks are wordy nations, and this 
evil arises undoubtedly from their laws. Their mob 
meddles too much with government affairs. It is not 
a Democracy, it is to me a perfect Demonocracy. 

G. I see, Tenbel Effendi, yon are too much ex- 
cited in discussing politics, but remember we are not 
in Turkey, nor do you speak to an enslaved Greek. 
In this country the shield of argument is used, and 
not the sword's point. Take notes of what I tell you. 

T. Really, 1 do n't see many swords here ! 

G. Swords, indeed, do not hang at the side of this 
people, in time of peace; but when the insult of a 
foreign power calls them to arms, they have nerves 
and swords enough to shine on the field of battle. 

T. Let them come on horseback against us, if they 
like! 

G. Let us sink this question, and take up a more 
agreeable topic for the sake of your journal. How da 
you like the society ? 

T. My confusion has been such that I cannot ap- 
preciate its advantages. The boldness of the ladies 
almost throws me off my guard. 

G. Are you annoyed by their liberty and prox- 
imity 7 

T. Agreeably so. Their delicious breath has 
sometimes come so near me as to fan delicately the 
extremities of my beard. They approach often so 
nigh that their sighs mingle with mine, so that I have 
felt a kind of indescribable regard for an intelligent 
young lady, who complimented very emphatically my 
beard and mustache. She declared in very sweet 
tones, that she loved foreign looks. 

G. That is rare. People here generally do not 
reverence the beard. 

7\ 1 never heard them swear by it, as Othmans 
do; but they stare at it as if it did not belong to a 
man. They are not aware how much mine has cost 
2 



14 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS. 

me. Its existence is indeed invaluable to me, for it 
has periled my very purse. 

G. How so ? Are there Bedouin robbers ensconc- 
ed in it ? 

T. No. The people, at a public procession, pro- 
ceeding to listen to the speech of some orator, were 
attracted by my appearance. As 1 mingled with the 
crowd, some pickpockets, drones of the repnblican 
hive, endeavored to rifle my girdle. They succeeded ; 
but luckily I had reserved a sum in my trunk, other- 
wise I should have been without resources. You 
hinted about Bedouin robbers, but these pickpockets 
are more unfeeling. 

G. They are not unfeeling, but light-fingered ; but 
you need not be so fast in condemning the Americans. 
Let me examine this paper. Here the police have 
advertised a purse bearing a Turkish inscription. 

T. Mash Allah; how was that done? Did a 
Tartar catch him, or the magician's art betray him? 

G. Neither ! it was the magic impression of type ! 

T. Is he hanged or bastinadoed, or is he nailed 
by the ears, and exposed to public view for a warning? 

G. Judgment here does not hasten to shed blood. 

T. The customs and laws of this country will 
drive me crazy, if I do not, as soon as possible, quit 
this climate, or rather these climates, for the weather 
is so changeable, that there are five climates every 
day. 

G. There is a high climax to ascend before your 
mental vision can penetrate the dazzling horizon of 
the inventive genius of this people. 

T. Inventive genius! Have the genii of the 
Arabian Nights burst the seals of their receptacles to 
inspire this people 7 

G. Ha, ha, ha ! What a contrast with the Muses 
of Pieria, are those hobgoblins of Moslem fancy ! 
Do you think civilization has been forwarded by the 
light of Aladdin's lamp ? 

T. Those tales are read throughout Christendom. 
I have an English translation of the masterpiece. 



THE TURK RELATES HIS LOVE STORY. 15 

Do you pretend that it has no influence over the 
youth of America, while it is read by them with so 
much deliglit? 

G. What is the moral tendency of those tales? 

T. The blessed law of polygamy, which isiiuiate 
in man, the arbitrary sway of the husband, the bet- 
ter part of humanity, over his wife, the depriving 
woman of the means of education — the shutting her 
out from society, as she ought to be and must be. 
Such are the teachings inculcated by that holy book. 

G. If civihzation and the arts and sciences were 
dependent on such teachings, how would they ad- 
vance 1 

T. Civilization ! What are its advantages ? 

G. Let the cities of America, smiling above the 
ruins of the Indian wigwams, picture to you my an- 
swer ! Whence came the influence that led the 
Anglo-Saxon race to such glorious results? Have 
not the precepts of the Bible, inspired with courage, 
pioneers in tlie western wilderness? 

T. What has become of the cannibals that for- 
merly ruled this land ? Did your Bible frighten 
them a. way ? 

G, A partial abuse of the Scriptures cannot de- 
tract from the advantages of civilization. 

T. Let us cur the chain of dogmatical argumen- 
tations, lest our long-sheathed scimetars should issue 
to cut short our speech-pipes ! 

G. (Aside.) Circumstances and locality cause 
the scimetar of Mohammed's disciple to rest in its 
sheath ! (Aloud.) Well, Tenbel Effendi, your re- 
ligion made us draw the sword, and wield the wild- 
fire. This fact is well known to you, so let us not 
stimulate our conversation any longer with religious 
points. I v^ish to bring you out respecting the social 
sphere of this people. 1 am anxious to know who 
and where was that romantic female being, that was 
so fascinated by your beard. 

T. (Sighing.) Well ; Philologist Sophologistato- 
pantachouperiplanomenos, we agreed to sheathe the 



16 THE TUEK RELATES HIS LOVE STORY. 

scimetar and extinguish ihe fire of religious dispute; 
and now, recalling to mind such events, take my 
heart and cast it into the flames ! It is the destiny 
of the Turks to be burned, either by the fire of ma- 
terial things, or by the eyes of woman. I tell you, 
my friend, it happened in this very city of Washing- 
ton, where, no doubt, noble blood must flow, for here, 
where the representatives of the nation are assem- 
bled, must be also the essence of the nobility of these 
realms. One of the first native grandees invited me 
to a ball. On entering the room, the whole mass 
turned their eyes upon me, as if I were a ghost. 
SoQje whispered, some smiled, some gave a serpent 
stare, and others, being afl^righted, concealed them- 
selves among the crowd. My noble friend took me 
by the arm, very awkwardly, and, having broken 
through the crowd, made me known. It was to me 
a novel way of announcing a guest. I was embar- 
rassed, I blushed, my lips and beard trembled, while 
my name, Tenbel Effendi, was given to every man 
and woman, married or unmarried, that occupied the 
corners of the large saloon. Many females, as light 
as a shadow, approached me and questioned me re- 
specting Constantinople, which they appeared to 
know better than Mussulmans, Greeks, Jews, Arme- 
nians, and even the Drogmans. They puzzled me 
in many particulars, in regard to the Hippodrome, 
or Atmeidan (horse-race ground), the Mosqne of St, 
Sophia, the tombs of the Sultans, the Seraskn's tow- 
er, Pera, Scutari, the Phanar, the reservoirs of Bing 
Direk (thousand columns), the Golden Horn, Top- 
khana (arsenal), and many other localities, which 
made me clap my hands and press my lips, for many 
minutes, astonished that females should know so 
much of those places, without having been there. 
One of the maidens, well loaded with questions, and 
blessed with a profusion of red ringlets, charming, 
indeed, to the eyes of Musulmans, (Cupid seemed 
sporting among them,) her eyes being blue, and as 
restless as the gazelle's ; her eyebrows Tike bows, and 



THE YOUNG MAN IN TIGHTS AND BUSTS AT THE BALL. 17 

their lashes hke arrows; her form possessing the 
pkuiipness, so prized hy true Islamites, and the iiaz, 
pecuHar to the Circassians, (I don't know tk.e English 
expression,) began to examine the materials of my 
dress, and expressed a wish that the Americans would 
adopt such a beautifid, manly, and dignified cos- 
tume ! She asked, in addition, if ah the Mnsnlmans 
wore the heard, and wliether they all have black 
eyes and black beard, Roman noses, and bushy eye- 
brows ! She had read in Lady Montague's works, 
the description of the Turkish female costume, as 
worn in the Harem, and she wished to see the 
American ladies assume the same graceful dress. 
Her eye was perpetually fixed on me. She quoted 
from Byron, the account of the Muezzin which an- 
nounces to the Mohammedans the hour of prayer, 
shaking the minarets to their foundation. She told 
me how delightful she should be to roam where such 
scenes are transacted. Fler mentioning this, made 
me sigh, for I had not heard that solemn voice for 
thirty-two whole moons, though the shapes of the 
American steeples, at a distance, console me by their 
resemblance to the celestial towers of the mosques. 
All these things convinced me that her heart must 
be on fire, and that it could be Mohammedanised. 
I was shocked as she was suddenly snatched from 
my side, by a button-hole-clothed youth, in tights 
and busts, who led her in the giddy dance. 

G. How did you hke the idea of men dancing 
with women ] 

T. I prefer to see two bears dancing, than to see 
a man, hardly able to move his limbs, clasping a 
lady by the waist, and turning like a windmill ! 
What pleasure is that? 

G. It is the forerunner of marriage. 

T. Can no person be married in this district be- 
fore he has learned to dance? 

G. Rarely, hut romantic appearance often sur- 
passes such accomplishments. 
2* 



18 THE TURK FINISHES HIS LOVE STORY. 

T. But I see that I am not the only beard- wearer 
in America. 

G. As you are a genuine offspring of Asia, the 
sonrce of beard-wearers, you will probably become 
the introducer of this Oriental fashion among all 
classes of the New World. Some trouble may arise 
from the barbers, but this people can be easily paci- 
fied. (Ironically.) Thus, before you quit the coun- 
try, you may secure an immortal memento of your 
popularity, and perhaps this will contribute to get 
up an excitement, and lay the basis of a new uiii- 
form sect, on this continent, professing Mohamme- 
danism ! 

T. For your faith's sake, Philologist Sopholo- 
gistatopantochouperiplanomenos, do you really think 
there is a probability of a support here, for two or 
three Dervishes, an Imam and a Munedji-bashi? 
(Chief Astrologer?) Paris has an establishment of 
the kind, I think, and as the people here begin to 
philosophise, 1 would form at New York a Koran 
Society. 

G. (Ironically.) That is a noble conception ; but 
you had better, Tenbel-Effendi, in the first place, 
provide for the building of a new Damascus Sword 
Manufactory, on the North River, if you can get a 
license, then, as a benefactor of your race and reli- 
gion, take this advice, inform your lord in Stamboul, 
that, in order to make alliance with these Ghaours, 
they had better be, a portion of them, first initiated 
into the doctrines of him who made the camel to 
speak, and caused the moon and stars to follow him. 

T. Mash Allah ! Mash Allah ! You Greeks, 
though we nourished you as a frozen generation of 
vipers, among us, yet you often have given us many 
good advices. Be ye sure, Sophologistatopantachu- 
periplanomenos, you will not be forgotten in the days 
of my prosperity. I thank Allah that I met you 
here. My dreams are about to be realized. 

G. But, Tenbel EfFendi, to open the way you 
must first marry one of the daughters of this people, 



THE MOHAMMEDAN MEETS WITH AN ACCIDENT. 19 

and she will probably give you wiser admonitions 
than myself. Women here are the pillars of religious 
and benevolent societies; novelty moves them like a 
magic wand. 

T. I trnly see that you are my bosom friend, and 
of such men we had not a iew among us, when you 
were our underlings. Our best admirals were from 
your race ; our best physicians, dragomans and pa- 
shas were of Greek origin. Besides this, you know, 
you are from the same clime with me. 

G. (Aside.) Now he is playing the Turk. He 
acts the fox instead of the lion, to forward his views. 
(Aloud.) Well, Tenbel Effendi, as I am interested in 
your destiny, do tell me the sequel of your intercourse 
with that auburn-haired lady at the ball. 

T. When that snuffer-shaped fellow took her 
from my side, a thousand evil thoughts entered my 
head, and my hand rested on my yataghan, at the 
sight of the beardless coxcomb who waltzed with my 
charmer. Every thing aroiuid me looked green. At 
last, to my astonishment, he returned her to me, pant- 
ing with fatigue, and her cheeks flushed. She salut- 
ed me cordially, and begged I would excuse her for 
quitting me. My smile, and my right hand resting 
on my heart responded to her wish : but a sad and 
ever-memorable accident occurred shortly after. She 
was gracefully tripping before me, when, stooping to 
loosen the ribbon of her light dancing slippers, she 
made a false step, and in falling seized the tail of the 
shawl which formed my turban, drawing it off en- 
tirely from my head. The force of the action caused 
the cavouk, or skull-cap, to follow it and spin like a 
top across the floor of the saloon. It was hustled 
about for some time before I knew where it was. In 
the meantime my shaved head was exposed to the 
curious eyes of the dancers. A tremendous laughter 
burst from every corner, at seeing her prostrate, and 
me empty-headed. I heard them with a Sardonian 
smile whispering repeatedly, "See his shaved head." 
My fair friend, in stumbling, had tripped me a little. 



20 THE TURK STILL IN TROUBLE. 

SO that a painful period elapsed before I could regain 
the skull-cap and the turban. The curiosity of the 
company to examine the make of the articles, detain- 
ed me still longer. The girls surrounded me like 
swallows. In addition to these hindrances, some gold 
pieces in the folds of the shawl were scattered over 
the floor, which the ladies kindly picked up for me. 
You know that we say in Turkey, "There is no love 
without thorns." These difficulties must be borne 
smilingly. The trials which I experienced would have 
riled my spirits under other circumstances, and made 
me resent the insult, but the presence of the auburn 
ringlets calmed me and the smiles of assurance that 
were reflected on me from that sweet face, caused me 
to bear it with equanimity. Had this accident occur- 
red with any other woman, I would have challenged 
the nobleman who brought me there, where such 
strange customs existed, and met him in single fight 
on horseback, in the open field. As luck would have 
it, he proved to be a cousin of the lady whose inno- 
cent slipping caused roars of laughter to resound from 
the men, and smiles to flash from every fairy-like 
female. 

G. Did you unite with them in laughing? 

T. 1 could not but laugh, when an elderly lady, 
smiling, otfered me my skull-cap, which she present- 
ed to me as they do in our clime a bowl of sherbet. 
At this juncture, the music struck up a march, and 
the crowd began to move in a circle, two by two. I 
looked at my friend, the nobleman opposite, for in- 
structions how to prooceed. Suddenly the arm of my 
admirer was locked with mine, and she and I began 
to march around the room like yoked cattle. From 
my being unused to such promenading, I was unable 
to keep time with my divan slippers on. One of the 
musicians, looking over his shoulder, sung out, " keep 
time, gentlemen, keep time." 1 made awkward ma- 
noeuvres, but found myself either too fast or too slow, 
my feet interfering constantly with those that march- 
ed behind and before me. My fair attendant piloted 



THE SALOON. 21 

me twice around the saloon, which was full of whis- 
pers, that were now and then drowned by the expres- 
sion of some hearty laughter, and then turned our 
course down the stairway, towards the refreshment 
saloon. 1 wore my yellow slippers, a mark of nobil- 
ity among us, you know ; and as I shuffled along, 
pushed by the hungry crowd, one of my heel less slip- 
pers in descending was loosed, and sent tumbling 
down stairs. While extricating my arm from that of 
my consoler, to pick it up, a gentleman of large 
dimensions and of indescribable haste trod on the heel 
of my other slipper, and caused me to make a somer- 
set to the bottom of the stairs. (Surely the influence 
of an evil eye took possession of me.) I deprecated 
the hour tliat I was introduced into a place where the 
customs and manners were so different. My skull- 
cap and turban saved my head from being severely 
bruised, and the triangular amulet m.y mother placed 
on it. The slippers were handed to me, and I enter- 
ed the saloon, which was decked with every form of 
eatables. There were cakes, oysters in every style, 
Virginia thighs of the hogs (domush), sweetmeats in 
form of castles, mosques, pyramids, crosses, crescents, 
ships and persons, some of them representing Turks. 
In a few minutes, my fair friend, like a meteor, pen- 
etrated the crowd, and coming near me repeatedly 
asked me, are you hurt, Tenbel Eftendi, are you 
hurt'? I smilingly answered, No. She then offered 
me an oval piece of sugar cake, which she called a 
kiss. She asked me if we had such things in Turkey. 
I answered, " those only which are manufactured by 
the lips," This answer made her bite her rubies, and 
for a long time her eyes were fixed on me. She slip- 
ped from one of the sugar mosques the crescent, and 
gave it to me, accompanied with a note, which she 
had just penciled, in the following terms : Tenbel 
Etfendi, I was delighted with your company, and am 
glad to have gained so much information from you 
respecting the Orient. My father's family will be 
gratified to receive a visit from you, (Signed) Cleo- 



22 THE LION OF THE DAY. 

patra Byrkissver. This was in warmth quite unlike 
a Turkish billetdoux, but the permission to call upon 
her was a freedom such as you know is never enjoyed 
by lovers in Turkey. The crowd retired to their 
homes, and I, attended by my noble friend, returned 
to my hotel. I went to bed, but I was not in bed ; 
my soul was not there ; my inflamed heart was with 
her. Her image was ever before me. 

G. Did you forget that you were a Mohammedan, 
and that she belonged to the faith, so much abhorred 
by your nation ? 

T. Mohammed's religion allows us to select our 
wives from any nation, provided they behave. 

G. Your case is truly romantic. A lineal de- 
scendant of Saladin, the weapon of the faith, destined 
to marry a daughter of the New World! Hasten, I 
pray, to the result. 

T. Her family and myself made visits among 
their friends, and 1 might say, I was the lion of the 
day. I walked with her, she walked with me. In 
the garden, we strolled together, and, to my astonish- 
ment, as the proof of her learning,, she carried under 
her arm a book of the language of flowers, as under- 
stood in the Orient. "1 know," said she, "that you 
are well versed in the language of flowers, as all 
Orientals are." She now and then read pieces from 
the English poets, some of which were translations 
from Charon. 

G. You mean Anacreon. Charon was the ferry- 
man of the dead. 

T. It was Canarion ; you are right. Greek prop- 
er names cannot be remembered by me, except those 
of warriors. Thus, all our delicate emotions and 
thoughts were mutually conmiunicated, in this silent 
language. Not being acquainted with the marriage 
customs of this country, I went home, shut myself 
up, in my room, and waited several days for a proxy. 
Every knock at the door, echoed hope into my heart, 
that the messenger was coming to negotiate our union, 
in the oriental fashion. Thinking that I had, per- 



HOW TO OFFER HIMSELF TO HIS BELOVED. 23 

haps, mistaken the customs, I called upon her, as 
usual, and was asked by her why I had not called 
for so many days. " You are quite a stranger," said 
she. I replied, "That my dove was all done for 
your sake." " Why, Tenbel Effendi." " Because, 
after so many months attachment, I naturally ex- 
pected a proxy from your kindred to arrange the 
betrothal." She answered this announcement by a 
hearty laugh, and exclaimed with much animation, 
" My dear sir, this is not the American fashion, in 
settling such matters." "Pray," responded I, "light 
of my eyes, what is it?" " Let any American gen- 
tleman, of your acquaintance, inform you." "Ameri- 
can gentleman inform me !" said 1 to myself, pressing 
my lips and shaking my head. I immediately called 
upon my friend, the nobleman, and, calling him aside, 
requested him to inform me how I should gain the 
hand of the desirable being. He asked me, smiling- 
ly, "Does she love you 7" "Yes." "Are you 
sure?" "1 am." "Does she favor others?" "I 
am the only favorite. There is no doubt she loves 
Turkey and the Turks." " If that is the case," said 
he, " 1 will tell you, though here, the young men, 
and especially the young ladies, study such things 
out, and act them in their own way. The parents 
and relatives seldom, very seldom, interfere. When 
you see that her affections are really concentrated all 
on you, if you are sitting on the sofa, with her, kneel 
on the carpet before her, recline your neck on your 
shoulders, tix your eyes on her, and ask her to have 
mercy on you. As often as she drops her handker- 
chief pick it up and give it to her, and make as many 
prostrations and selams as your heart permits, for 
women are different here ; we consider them not soul- 
less, but to have more than one soul. After this ex- 
ercise, seek her hand. If it is given, and she ac- 
knowledges that she loves you, all is well. Don't 
be bashful, but show the real dogged, Turkish reso- 
lution. That's the whole process!" This advice 
made me murmur; is love, in this country, represent- 



24 HE OFPEfeS HIMSELF TO THE BEING HE LOVES, 

ed with prostrations and picking up of handker- 
chiefs'/ With these instructions, I called npon her 
again. I took a seat at her side, presented her a 
boquet, prepared under my directions, the stems of 
the flowers of which were held by a diamond ring, 
which had been given to me by my best mother. 
Her father and mother came in and saluted me as if 
I were their son, and made a few observations and 
compliments, saying, repeatedly, " Make yourself at 
home, Tenbel Effendi, don't be a stranger." The 
daughter exhibited the bouquet's ring, and was 
greeted with bursts of admiration. At this crisis, 
lo ! a yoimg man entered the room, who was so lo- 
quacious, that I conld say nothing I waited some 
time for him to finish his gossip, but he went on, 
from the history of the singular scenes that occurred 
at the late ball, to that of the battle of Navarino, 
and then moving his chair towards me, said, in an 
emphatic tone, that the right arm of Turkey had 
been severed. He annoyed me indescribably, but, 
wishing him to end his tale, and get out of my sight, 
I did not answer him. Waiting, in vain, for his de- 
parture, I took leave of my lady, and went to my 
hotel. The next morning I received a pair of slip- 
pers, embroidered with gold crescents. The next 
afternoon I called again on her, v.'ell exercised in 
the instrnctions given to me by the nobleman. I 
was received more cordially than ever. The ring 
was praised ; her friends were delighted with it. As 
usual, the daughter and myself were left alone in the 
parlor, though I was often annoyed by some whis- 
pers at the doors. After a few words had been ex- 
changed, I asked her how she would like to visit 
Constantinople? ''Oh," said she, " I should be de- 
lighted, Tenbel EflTendi, truly delighted ! Do you 
think of going there?" In a short time. Seeing her 
so desirous to visit Constantinople, and feeling that 
her heart was wholly given to me, I invoked Allah 
and knelt before her. I clasped my hands, and fixed 
my eyes upon her in a pitiable manner. She com- 



THE TURK CHANGES HIS RELIGION. 25 

posed her lips, blnshed, and looked at me very so- 
berly, with moistened eyes. Myself smiling, and 
shedding big tears, and following the nobleman's in- 
junctions, requested that she would have mercy on 
my soul — protesting that I had been tormented many 
moons, for the acquaintance of a being endowed with 
such charms and acconjplishments. Her answer 
was, '' Tenbel Etfendi, 1 have taken a deep interest 
in you, and I love your country, for its noble asso- 
ciations, but allow me to ask you, 'Are you a 
Christian V " That question made me wipe my tears, 
and leaping up in an upright position, I asked her," Do 
only Christians love T' She drew back slightly, and 
liaving her hands clasped, fixed upon me her tearful 
gaze, and responded, in a low tone, " I asked it on 
account of my parents." 1 then departed, supposing 
from her tears and sighs, that she sympathised with 
me. I went home and reflected on the consequences. 
I loved her, I loved my country, my religion, my kin- 
dred, and the realms and climes of the Mohammedans. 
But, friend Sophologiotatopantachouperiplanomenos,. 
a celestial prompter, in a fearful dream, bade me net 
surrender my love for all such home attractions. 
Thus I went again and acknowledged to her my ab- 
jurations of Mohammedanism. She appeared de- 
lighted with my change of belief, and every Sunday 
I accompanied her to the place of worship. As my 
costume and foreign appearance attracted the people 
there more than the eloquence of the preacher, and 
all eyes were fixed on me, she asked me, if, now 
being a Christian, I would not consent to cut off my 
beard. I did so. In a few days she earnestly request- 
ed me to assume her country's costume. I yielded. 
Every thing went on well, and 1 began to send her 
costly presents, such as Persian cloths, beautifully 
wrought; ornaments in mastic, bracelets, perfumery, 
and gold- wrought head-dresses. I provided her with 
the costume of the Harem, with which I waited upon 
her to balls, parties and tableaux. Every body- 
seemed to envy our prosperity. But in the midst of 
3 



26 OUR HERO RETURNS TO CONSTANTINOPLE. 

this felicity. I received orders, by a finnan, to return 
hoQie. With trembhng step I proceeded towards the 
house of the conqueror of my lieart, and coinuiuni- 
cated to her the sad news of my departure. 1 put 
to her the question whether she would accompany 
me. She answered me, that this could not be at 
present, as her family had just received news of the 
death of a near relative. " Then," said I, "God has 
not beeu pleased to give au end to our anxiety, such 
is the will of my fate. I leave you, oh light of my 
eyes, I leave you, Cleopatra, but my soul will always 
be with you. Constantinople calls me away, but let 
heaven bear witness, if life is preserved, that I shall 
return to you. Sad was the scene of our separation. 
I kissed the hand of the father and mother filially, 
according to the oriental custom, shook her lily 
hand, and departed. At this moment, every thing 
around me was dark, reflecting on the past and the 
future. On leaving the door I turned my dim eyes 
back, and saw her at the window, in a weeping atti- 
tude. A prosperous voyage, during which I recov- 
ered my beard, and resumed my native costume, 
brought me back to Constantinople. I was cordially 
and honorably received, both by my friends, and by 
the Sultan Mahmoud. He appointed me an officer 
in the fleet. Two years had elapsed, and not a day 
passed without my heart beating violently, with the 
hope of returning to America. At last I found the 
opportunity to return. I sold my estate, and one 
night, in the dress of a Frank, whom I bribed to sell 
me his passport, I embarked on a French vessel, 
bound for Marseilles. Thence I sailed for America. 
Sweet was the hour I trod again the soil of this 
country, after my long voyage. 1 came to Washing- 
ton, and inquired for Cleopatra Byrkissver. I was 
informed that she still resided in Washington. 

G. Pray continue. It is extremely interesting. 

T. I am tired, mind and soul, recalling such 
thrilling events, so let me, for the sake of your Faith, 
rest now, and I will finish on some future occasion. 



THE TURK MEETS THE GREEK AT ATHENS. 27 

G. Pray forget not your promise, at our next 
meeting, for I am indeed much interested in such 
affairs. I was never enveloped in such love perplex- 
ities; they are very instructive to me. 

T. Beheve me, in the bonds of our friendship, 
that your curiosity will be gratified ; for such things 
are only made known to friends and fellow country- 
men. 

G. (Aside.) The Turk calls the Greek his fel- 
low countryman. The late war, with you, will 
decide that matter. 



SECOND DIALOGUE. 

Here the Turk^ after thirteen years had elapsed^ 
meets the Greek under the portico of tite Parthe- 
non, at Athens. 

Turk. Excuse me, sir, I should like to say a few 
words to you in private. Are you, I pray, the same 
person whom I met several years ago in a distant 
country? 

Greek. What country ? China? 

T. No. 

G. Australia? Greenland? Patagonia? 

T. No. 

G. Mexico, Hindostan, Sandwich Islands, Li 
beria ? 

T. No. Its capital begins with waw. 

G. Waw, waw, waw, Waterloo, Warsaw? 

T. No. 

G. Washington, the capital of America? 

T. Mash Allah, (bravo) you have it ! Excuse 
my forgetfulness ; it is a name which, for thirteen 
whole years, I have cast into the stream of oblivion. 

G. What, the city of Washington was cast by 



28 THE TURK FINISHES HIS LOVE STORY. 

yon into the stream of oblivion 7 I thought yon were 
naturahzed there. 

T. Tliis proposal was made to me, but they conld 
not change my nature. 

G. Wonderful ! while the Americans have 
changed even the nature of hyenas, and often asso- 
ciate with lions and tigers. Did the wife you got 
from there accompany yon 7 

T. (Sighing, and patting him on the shoulder.) 
Do not mention it. 

G. I have often thought of your prosperity, and 
have given a full account of it to the great entertain- 
ment of my friends, in this city. 

T. Would to Allali that I never had attempted to 
visit that country! My life, my blooming age, my 
sonl, and my gold, were consumed, for one of its 
female charms. I might have had the being whom 
Heaven had allotted me, if I had not been ordered to 
Constantinople, by a iirman from the snltan. 

G. What, Tenbel Effendi 7 Did they deprive 
you of the beautiful and accomplished Cleopatra 
Byrkissver, concerning whom you have given me in 
Washington such a touching and glowing descrip- 
tion 7 V/ere you not a Turk I should have forgotten 
such events, but their impression is deep in my mind, 
and often have I been desirous of having a second 
interview with you. to know the happy sequel. I 
have taken down in short hand all the previous 
circumstances. 

T. You remember then all that I have said, and 
where I left off when we separated thirteen long 
years ago. 

G. Yes, as if it liad been related to me this very 
moment. 

T. What mnemonical bumps these Greeks have ! 

G. You said that you arrived in W^ashington and 
heard from your friends that she was still in the city. 
Did you cali on her that very day 7 

T. That very day 7 that very moment^ running 
hke a Tartar on a royal message. 



THE GREEK BEGS THE TURK TO FINISH HIS STORY. 29 

G. Were you on horseback ? 

T. No, I trusted to my feet. 

G. Were your wishes consummated and your 
sacrifices rewarded? 

T. Let us stop here. Such recollections are too 
sad. I love, my good friend, to satisfy your curiosity, 
but these are not consoling recollections, so permit 
me for our friendship's sake not to proceed any farther. 

G. Tenbel Effendi. Do you know, that in your 
country and in your Sultan's dominions, the story- 
tellers never begin a narration without telling the 
whole of it 1 

T. But friend, Sophologiotatopantachuperiplano- 
menos, do not number me among the story-tellers. 

G. By no means, Tenbel Effendi. My desire is 
to learn the nature of love and whether woman is 
ever faithful. 

T. Faithful, indeed^ very faithful, but men, cruel 
men, often nullify this faith, by falsehoods, and em- 
bitter the hearts that they deceive. Oh injustice, 
injustice ! 

G. Had I trials of ray own I would relate them ; 
I should console myself by disburthening my mind 
of the pressure of thought. Conversation with a 
trusty friend alleviates mental suffering. 

T. My heart and soul are clouded. 

G. Compose your mind and open the fount of 
your memory- 

T. It is not that these events are out of my com- 
mand, but my feelings and their existence deny me 
the power of expression. I was, tndy was, a lover, 
a devoted lover; listen then to the remnant of my 
misfortunes and not my prosperities. I went to the 
house; I pulled that brass thing, which they have 
by their doors there. Nobody came — I pulled it 
agai?i, and again. At last who but — but — she came 
and opened the door, [lolding an infant in her arms ! 
She looked steadfastly at me, as if she were viewing 
a ghost. Myself, senseless, was thrown on the sofa. 
When I recovered I saw only her mother and sister 
3* 



30 THE TURK FINDS HER WITH AN INFANT. 

Standing before me. I looked at them attentively, 
begging that they would excuse me. " My Tenbel 
Effendi," said the mother, " is it you 7 are you among 
the living?" I answered, "it has pleased Heaven, after 
myriads of perils and dangers, not to make me forget 
your house — but alas ! how melancholy is my fate! 
Where is Cleopatra?" The mother answered, why 
Tenbel Effendi, Cleopatra is now in another's posses- 
sion, and cannot see you. " What, said I," in anoth- 
er's possession? Were not my sacritices enough to 
satisfy her, and you all^ of my constancy and true 
pretensions?" The mother replied, " Why, Tenbel 
Effendi, we never suspected your sincerity, but we 
had several letters, one after the other, that you had 
died of the plague — others that you were beheaded 
for having changed your faith — and others still, that 
you had been burnt by the Greek fire-ships. For a 
whole year, my daughter wailed and was in afflic- 
tion and mourning. We wrote to Constantinople 
and received full conviction that you were no more 
in the land of the living. All this induced my 
daughter to yield to the suit of another. She has 
been married one year and a half Thus, Tenbel 
Effendi. I have related faithfully the truth!" Say- 
ing this, she requested me, as a friend, not to forget 
to call at their house. I afterwards learnt that all 
those letters had been forged by a former lover, who 
is now her husband. I left Washington that very 
day, shaking the dust of my shoes, and went to New 
York. I took passage thence for London, with a 
perfect indifference for woman. I devoted all my 
time in frequenting the best literary institutions and 
conversing with learned men. I visited Paris and 
studied medicine. Although I regard the physician's 
profession as a philanthropic department of action, 
nature told me that I had not penetration enough to 
see into the diseases of man : 1 therefore never pre- 
tended to practice. 

G. Well Dr. Tenbel ! to what then did you de- 
vote your time, since I sa\v you in America?' 



THE fHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGES. 31 

T. To the study of the philosophy of languages. 

G. What do you mean by the philosophy of lan- 
guages ? 

T. Not only the construction and the utterance, 
but how to adapt them to the amelioration of society. 

G. Of all languages, which you have studied, 
which do you consider to have contributed most to 
that end ? 

T. Of the living or of the dead languages'? 

G. Of the dead. 

T. The Greek. 

G. Why not the Latin ? 

T. The Latin has been used as a medium of dif- 
fusing Greek ideas. That stream could not exist 
without its fountain. Latin is every where the har- 
binger of Greek. 

G. What philosophical answers! Dr. Tenbel, 
3?'ou must have been a hard student. 

T. You, sir, Sophologiotatopantachuperiplanome- 
nos, first stimulated me in the pursuit of the arts and 
sciences. 

G. I rejoice in having been instrumental in direct- 
ing you in the path of true fame. Do not you think 
you might do a great deal of good to your country 7 
Why then do you remain among us? 

T. The name of Athens, her associations and her 
freedom attracted me hither. When I was in the 
Universities of Europe I received such an admiration 
for your classics, that I resolved to spend the remain- 
der of my life at Athens, the city of Demosthenes 
and Socrates. 

G. How can you be a true Mohammedan, to 
have your bones mingled with those of another race? 

T. My name, but not my heart is Mohammedan 
now. 

G. You know. Dr. Tenbel, that a classical schol- 
ar, as you are, can appreciate better the race which 
to a Mohammedan appeared so degraded, and as the 
offspring of servitude. 



32 THE MODERxN GREEK PRONUNCIATION. 

T. Disgrace to our nation ! But all this must be 
attributed to profound ignorance. There is respect 
for you in future. The descendants of Demosthenes, 
Plato and Homer, offsprings of servitude? But these 
erroneous accusations against you are past. 

G. In the colleges of Europe did they teach you 
to pronounce the Greek language, as the modern 
Greeks do ? 

T. They ridicule your mode of pronouncing it, 
but you have also many advocates. 

G. Many come among us with such prejudice, 
but we send them home initiated and converted. 
They might say the same of your language, if you 
should let them study it by themselves. 

T. (Laughing and shaking his head.) I heard 
them pronounce the Arabic so Germanlike, that I 
could not recognize the words ; but your pronunci- 
ation of Greek is accused as being monotonous, from 
the frequency of ee. You are therefore called Jota- 
cists. 

G. You know that the Greek had five dialects, 
and each dialect wrote that sound either with si, »], 
7, ot, or u. We see traces of this on ancient inscrip- 
tions and in the testimony of historians. In the aug- 
ments and other variations of verbs, and in the vari- 
ous spellings of nouns, the reasons of the change can 
be found only in the laws of the modern pronunci- 
ation, liook at the mistakes of the ancient sculp- 
tors, who being led by the sound only confounded all 
those letters which we pronounce e. 

T. But you do not conform to the sound of some 
animals. For example, Aristophanes represents a 
fool walking and bleating like a sheep, expressing 
his cry by the syllable ^. Here the sheep refute 
you on two letters. 

G. The Greek language being euphonical lias no 
sound of b or e, consequently Aristophanes' syllable 
is only an approximation. 

T. What? has not the Greek natural sounds? 



PROOFS THAT MODERN GREEK PRONUxNCIATION IS TRUE. 33 

G. Not those that are in the mouths of the beasts, 
especially those of the mutton family. 

T. Pray, let us be serious. Adduce for me some 
philological proof that the modern Greeks pronounce 
their vowels correctly. 

G. Of Diogenes the Cynic, is related a pun, ad- 
dressed to a thief who was carrying away the gar- 
ments from the public baths, at Athens, and who, on 
being questioned as to where he was going, replied, 
i-n-'aXsifXttTiov (I am going to get oil). Diogenes asked 
in reply, inull'tfiuTwv. This phrase was pronounced 
like the preceding, but means, " are you going after 
another garment'?"' In this case, if t and et had 
not the same sound the pun would have been with- 
out force. The pun also shows that AA and ^ in rapid 
utterance, had the same sound. In the spelling of 
Pausanias and others, we find, 



ivdvog 


for 


irdolog, 


pron. 


entheeos, th as in the, 


(pXoTu^ 




(jpAtat, 


C( 


pleeaks. 


otdvop 




vdi'ov^ 


C( 


eethnon, th as in the. 


dovrrj 




SqoItt]^ 


(< 


threetee, th. as in th. 


6v6log 




6Mog, 


(C 


veevlos. 


ijuolo 




l^BlO, 


cc 


emeeoh. 



The sound of the word Xoi/[i6g (loimos), was, like 
that of A///o,-j otherwise the Athenians would not have 
doubted whether the oracle of Delphi meant plague 
or famine. The plural number of words, derived 
from the Greek, in the Latin language, which in 
the Greek are spelt with the diplithong ot are written 
with I, mythi, anthropophagi, &c. We find, also, in 
the same language the diphthong f^ changed into /, 
Liturgia (^Xenovoyiu^^ Solicismus (2'oAftx/a//oc), Nilus 
(7\fiAoc). Apollonius says there is no difference, in 
sound, in the words, o-To/f?o>, arelSu)^ aiiOo). Among the 
most ancient of the Athenians the e and «* were con- 
founded, as, 

Tldut for T/(Jf', pron. teethay, th as in the. 

y^tt " '/(uu, " yaah. 

'^S-r/vulog " 'yi&ijveog^ '' Athenayos. 

Tifwd-oilou '' Tiuod-iov, «' Timmotheyoo. 



34 MORE PROOFS RESPECTING PRONUNCIATION. 

On the island of Scio is found a stone, on which 
was written the word evaeOetu (Evseveeash), fuaf6'»/«. 
This favors the modern Greek pronunciation, which 
sounds ev and v alike. It shows that the ancient 
sculptor was led by the sound, and not by the rules 
of orthography. 

T. These facts are very convincing about most 
of the vowels and diphthongs. I have to try you on 
a more important point. 

G. Allow me to give you 7?iore, sounded, not by 
beasts and fools, but written and spelled by those 
whose genius is your admiration. Plato tells us 
that tlie ancients used * for »/ in the word rifnoa. The 
most ancient Greeks called the king or ^uadevg by the 
word Sah'ii' (pron. valleen). 

T. Why, the Turkish word, for master or king, 
is (9«^^i, from which is derived the word. Roonival- 
lessee (the Roman kingdom). 

G. How were you taught to pronounce it in your 
language, pray ? 

T. Balri^ certainly. 

G. What if the western professors should say, 
you Turks pronounce your own language wrong, 
and you should call this word Balais. 

T. Balais? tliat is the French word for broom. 
In that way they would make brooms of our kings, 
would they? What a sweeping idea! This Balri 
must have been introduced into Asia, at the time of 
the conquests of Alexander the Great. It favors the 
Greek mode of pronouncing the (9 and ?;, veeta, eeta. 

G. This is not all, for among the ancient gram- 
marians, some wrote 



vi]h]TBXg 


others 


V7]ln&Tg^ 


pron. 


neeleetees. 


axBJiirog 




ay.enrjrog^ 




skeppeenos. 


axio(jog 




gxiyjoog^ 




skeeros. 


a}t7]n[ojp 




axiTiloii'j 




skeepeeon. 


7]XCl) 




iXO), 




eeko. 


ifie 




Ids, 




eethey, th as in the 



I have now laid before you sufficient quotations in 
regard to the various representations of the sound, e. 



MORE PROOFS CONCERNING PRONUNCIATION. 35 

Permit me, pray, to mention a few more proofs con- 
cerning the pronunciation. It is asserted that the 
Greeks pronounced the consonants beta, gamma, and 
delta, as the Romans did. This, however, does not 
prove that the Ttahan pronmiciation of the dead Latin 
should be substituted in the hving Greek, for a pro- 
nunciation handed down from antiquity. 

On the Egyptian pyramids, we find the name 
Darius, spelt with hieroglyphics, which correspond 
to the letters Ntroush. Now the modern Greeks, in 
giving a representation of the foreign d employ nt. 
As Greece was colonised by Egyptians, and down as 
late as Aristophanes, the comic poet, we find them 
numerous in Greece, why should not the popular 
pronunciation of the Greeks have been much like 
that of tiie Egyptians'? The Egyptians must have 
exerted an influence in forming the pronunciation of 
the popular dialect before Homer, and this influence 
must have ceased befere the time of our Saviour, 
when Egypt and Greece fell beneath the Romans; 
yet we find on the pyramids a spelling which tends 
to prove that the same pronunciation now exists. 
The spelling Nt for D shows that the Egyptians had 
no D in their language, and it is doubtless accounted 
for. just as in modern Greek, from the fact that soft 
th is substituted when the same word is Grecised. 
Those, then, who argue from history, that the mod- 
ern differs from the ancient, must reject a great mass 
of monumental testimony. They must give the lie 
to inscriptions that have braved the storms of two 
thousand years beyond the oldest historical manu- 
script ! History is often defaced or corrupted by 
interpolations, but monuments are beyond the reach 
of counterfeiters. 

On a very ancient Greek inscription found on Scio, 
MijvodoQv;^ the name of a distinguished person of Scio, 
is spelt with the o instead of w; this shows that it 
was cut either before the introduction of the long 
vowels, 410 B. C., or that o still held the place of f. 



36 QUANTITY AND ACCENT. 

T. I am astonished at these historical facts; biU 
how can we reconcile accent with quantity? 

G. That is a great question, often debated with- 
out any satisfactory result. However, reason and 
nature, I hope, will aid us in developing this perplex- 
ing subject. 

T. I contend that the stress of voice is guided by 
the vowels; that it falls on the penult in all dissylla- 
bles, and that in polysyllables it falls on the penult, 
if long, and on the antepenult, if the penult be short; 
the same rules hold in Latin. 

G. Such rules exactly suit the ^olic dialect, from 
which a great part of the Latin is derived ; but if 
they are to be applied to the other four dialects, the 
accentual marks are useless. 

T. Their use, as most western philologists think, 
is lost. Some, however, suppose that they distin- 
guish words, others that they are of modern inven- 
tion, to suit the modern Greek stress of voice. 

G. You forget that the manuscripts taken from 
Herculaneum, disarm our opponents, by bearing ac- 
centual marks. 

T. Others think them guides to the motions of 
the hand, in keeping time, because the ancient rhap- 
sodists carried a slick. 

G. Ha ! ha! ha ! This is a striking idea. 

T. Others still regard them of the same use as 
the Chinese tones, which are six notes of music. 

G. There is a Babylon of notions among you, 
respecting them. 

T. Therefore we make no use of them, except in 
writing. 

G. How do you pronounce the term for man in 
Greek 7 

T. '^I'd^Qomog (Anthropos). 

G. Where is the accentual mark ? 

T. On the antepenult. 

G. Where do you place the spoken accent ? 

T. On the penult. 



QUANTITY AND ACCENT. 37 

G. The penult? How do you accent the gen- 
itive 7 

T. 'Jvd^oionov. On the penult (Anthropoo). 

G. Here, in the genitive, you coincide with us 
and the written accent, but in the nominative you 
disagree with both. Your grammarians teach that 
here the written accent is drawn forward, because 
the penultima is Ions:, and thus you acknowledge 
that your accent differs from that of the Greeks. 
Why do you not then accent the syllable, which 
bears the mark ? 

T. Because it would injure the quantity. 

G. But the same words had dillerent accents in 
different dialects; and yet those words held the same 
position in a metrical line ; therefore the accent was. 
not regarded as a violater of quantity. Tlie Greeks 
found no difficulty in reconciling accent with quan- 
tity. 

T. But accent lengthens a syllable. 

G. If that be true, your accent violates quantity,. 
in all words of two syllables, of which the first is 
short, and in all polysyllables, where the antepenult 
receives your accent upon a short vowel. 

T. I would then answer that in poetry, probably 
the accent was disregarded entirely. 

G. Let us not fly from the first question — let us 
try an experiment to prove that accent does not injure 
the quantity. Let us take for illustration a language 
which is now studied throughout the globe — the- 
English. Does the accent make the first vowel in 
the word mitigate as long as that of the word me- 
teor! 

T. Truly not, but that is one instance only. 

G. Let me give you other instances then, 
very vary 

merry Mary 
carry careless 
punish puny. 
Here both receive the accent, and yet the difference 
in length is very perceptible. 
4 



So PUNCTUATION OF EUROPEANS IN READING GREEK. 

T. Are not the unaccented vowels necessarily 
shorter tlian the accented ones? 

G. Which is the shortest, the u or the i in pun- 
ish ? 

T. I can detect no difference — for truly we do not 
say pu-nish, but punish. 

G. The long may be accented or unaccented and 
yet fully distinguishable — for example, freehold, here 
we do not say free-holld, but freehold, the unaccented 
o being as long as the accented ee. Thus it is fully 
proved that the Greeks can reconcile their accent 
with the metrical quantity. The word to'voj, the 
Greek word for accent, is another term for vigor or 
force, and it therefore very aptly denotes the stress of 
the voice. It cannot however nullify the quantity 
by lengthening it. Let an anvil be struck by a ham- 
mer — the stroke given by the arm is the accent, the 
strokes which are imparted by the bounding of the 
hammer are exactly in time with the heaviest stroke, 
for as the rapidity decreases in the exact proportion 
of the distance the sound occupies at each diminished 
bound, precisely the same time. In like manner, in 
a polysyllabic word, as for example, "liberty," ie 
and y are equally timed. In order to contract the 
two modes of pronouncing, let us repeat some Greek 
passages. Let us try some of Homer's Hexameters. 
(Turk reads.) G. Is this the ore rotundo that Ci- 
cero and Horace attributed to the Greek language 1 
Should the prominent sounds of any language be a'i 
o'i aou? Do all the classic scholars pronounce so ? 

T. Only the English — the others have a different 
twang. 

G. How is the French? 

7\ It is nasal — I will give you a specimen. 
(Reads.) 

G. This then is Parisian Greek ! Give us now 
the German, or rather the Erasmian reform, so called. 

T. (Reads.) Such is the pronunciation at Berlin. 

G. Here we have then the Dutch Greek. Eras- 
mus pretends to have reformed a pronunciatioUj 



PUNCTUATION CF EUROPEANS IN READING GREEK. 39 

Avhich he acknowledges to have been once lost. 
Were the ancient tones frozen and then thawed out? 
Or were the buried words whispered by the same 
reeds that betrayed the ass-ears of Midas? On the 
same principle all history and poetry which have been 
lost may be reformed and brought to light. Let the 
students in Greek spend less time on the time of a 
word, and improve their time better in learning its 
signi/icalion. The length of a word is nothing com- 
pared with its meaning. What care I about the 
learned disputes whether the quantity is right, provi- 
ded I give the accent and intonation used in conver- 
sation '? An hour spent in learning a truth is better 
than years devoted to a stumbhng-block of error. 
Let a scholar who reads the IHad not boggle about 
the quantity, but pronounce as the Greeks do, and. 
go ahead ! Accent is the life of reading, let him fol- 
low it, and forget not to reflect more upon the ideas 
of Homer than upon dactyls, spondees and caesuras. 
By the way, a caesura in the middle of a line is 
practised in all poetry, both accentual and quantita- 
tive, and that destroys the monotony of the drawling 
sing-song reading of such as are enslaved to dactyls 
and spondees. The use of dactyls and spondees was 
not to determine the accent of reading, but of song, 
just as in English the metre of singing varies from 
that of reading. It is not likely that the laws of lan- 
guage have imdergone any serious change since the 
days of Homer. Tlie m.odern Greek manner of read- 
ing the Iliad is assuredly harmonious, and fully in 
keeping with the Ore rotundo as described by Horace, 
who grants this peculiarity, to the Hellenic, of being 
round-mouthed or as some would have it. bell-toned. 
The practise of measuring a verse by equal timed 
quantitative feet, is like that of measuring by equal- 
timed accentual feet. In either case the accent may 
vary from the measure. Such is the case with the 
verses of Byron and Homer. 1 hope to live and see 
the time, when my native language will be pro- 
nounced throughout the globe as it is beneath the 



40 CAMBRIDGE PRONUXCIATION IN 1542. 

architrave of the lofty Parthenon. Let the scholar 
be relieved from the dry acquisition of rules of quanti- 
ty, and advance in the understanding of those ideas 
which ennobled the mother of the arts and sciences. 
There must be a revolution in the mode of teaching 
Greek. The teacher should lecture to the student 
upon the authors and tlie subjects of which they 
treat. A dry giving and hearing of lessons is calcu- 
lated to create in the pupil a distaste for literature. 

T. Well, well, Philologist Sophologiotatopanta- 
chouperiplanomenos, my curiosity has been amply 
gratified, and my enthusiasm greatly increased to 
devote more time to its study, and I wish I were as 
well equipped as you are with arguments to defend 
the pronunciation of the language of your fathers. 

G. Pray, Dr. Tenbel, let me place the subject 
before you in a more striking light. When the Greek 
neck was at the mercy of our successive tyrants, the 
Greek tongue, in the west of Europe, was at the 
mercy of the most absurd notions. The nations of 
Western Europe, whom that tongue nourished with 
civilization and refinement, instead of appealing to 
the cotemporary Greek Attic authors, as authority 
for the sound of this beautiful tongue, quarreled with 
one another in the most puerile logomachies imagin- 
able. By the repetition of the most scurrilous and 
abusive epithets that could be heaped on the living 
Greeks, the system of Erasmus gradually gained 
vogue. It however met opposition, and we will give 
a specimen of the reception of this system in Eng- 
land. 1 must quote it, as it is, to show the warmth 
of the venerable old Chancellor of Cambridge more 
than three hundred years ago — (1542). " Every 
man," says the enthusiastic Chancellor, "whatever 
may be his literary pretensions, who adopts the re- 
formed or Erasmian method, is to be considered a 
blockhead ; if a member of the Academic senate, (a 
professor,) he is to be expelled; if a candidate, he is 
to be denied of all honors; if preparing for college. 



CAMBRIDGE PRONUNCIATION IN 1542. 41 

be is to be refused admission; and finally, if a lad, 
he is to be soundly wliipped and sent home." 

T. The modern Greek pronunciation is certainly 
the most agreeable to the ear, as it was acknowledged 
in the presence even of Erasmus, where the sounds 
of thirteen languages were confounded. 

G. I am glad to have met so worthy an antag- 
onist on the much disputed question of Greek pro- 
nunciation, but this is not the essential part of the 
legacy of Greek genius. Have you in your research- 
es of the world's literature directed your attention 
particularly to the direct agency of the classics, in 
the spread of civilization and free principles'? 

T. In the Universities of Europe the professors 
and lecturers are not very explicit on this point; they 
confine themselves chiefly to verbal and historical 
commentaries. They are scholiasts; they seldom 
touch on the moral of the Classics, and even then 
with fear, on account of the Argus-eyes of royalty 
that are ever fixed upon them. Since, however, I 
have taken up my residence at Athens, I have listen- 
ed to the lectures in the University of Otho, where 
the moral of the Classics is brought distinctly before 
the view of the student. Who could read Homer, 
Demosthenes, Sophocles, Plato and Aristotle, without 
feeling himself a freeman equal to kings and empe- 
rors? The feelings and actions of men and the very 
operations of nature are represented to us in such 
vivid and supernatural colors, that we cannot but be 
fellow- actors. The page of Grecian literature is 
opened, by the friends of freedom, as a door to refine- 
ment and social progress. Vices and virtues are pre- 
sented in their natural contrast, and leave the sensible 
man to make the choice of those whom he will serve. 
Their productions were not written for Greeks alone. 
They were written for the Romans, the Gotlis, the 
Barbarians of Europe and Asia, and lastly for the 
New World- 

G. Who do you think are the best actors of the 
Grecian principle of freedom? 
4* 



42 TOO MUCH FREEDOM OF THOUGHT. 

T. I know not — the continental Europeans use 
deep study, but shallow practice. 

G. You ought to have remained longer in Ameri- 
ca to see how tliey have put in practice, on a larger 
scale, the Amphictyonic League. 

T. I remained there long enough to understand 
the manners and customs of the people, but I was 
displeased with the virnlence of party spirit. 

G. They are a free-minded people — one opinion 
should not occupy the whole ground. 

T. But do not you think that too much freedom 
of thought makes men the slaves of excitement? 
The Americans excel the ancient Greeks in asking 
questions. Demosthenes complained of the Atheni- 
ans, inquiring, "What news?" The Americans 
nourish their minds daily with news, as regularly as 
they take their meals. 

G. This characteristic of that people should not 
be judged by us as a vice. It keeps them on their 
guard against demagogues, and enables them to con- 
clude for themselves what contributes to the prosper- 
ity of their country. Their sons are sent to Europe, 
not only to perfect their knowledge on some subjects, 
but to watch also the movements of the Kings. The 
pens of these travelling freemen depict the variegated 
diplomacy of the day. These heralds of republican- 
ism disturb the ears of monarchs. 

T. But do not you think that this bold interfer- 
ence causes the Kings to strengthen the chains of 
their subjects ? 

G. Nations, long corrupted by title-bearers, must 
reach the acme of oppression before they gain cour- 
age to strike for liberty. 

T. You have now, Sophologiotatopantachouperi- 
planomenos, undoubtedly your nation's case in your 
mind; but you must remember that neither the situ- 
ation, the spirit, nor the condition of the people of 
Europe would permit them to take up arms against 
royalty. Your nation had to deal with an ignorant 
enemy, which being immersed in luxury, never 



SACRIFICES OP GREECE ON THE ALTAR OF LIBERTY. 43 

thought that by its clement policy it was rearing its 
own destroyer. 

G. Your nation was far superior in the knowl- 
edge and resources of warfare, but the education 
transmitted to us by our progenitors, made us strike 
deep and sure against the vultures that preyed on 
our vitals. Can you deny us patriotism, when, in- 
stead of surrendering to the enemy in repeated in- 
stances, men and women with unanimous voice, 
whole communities offered themselves as holocausts 
on the altar of liberty, in those grand explosions of 
fortresses and ships, that dramatised before the eyes 
of Europe, the answer to the perplexing question, 
'^ how can the blessings of liberty be obtained ? " So 
my friend, every country of Europe must have a 
Tyrtaeus and a Thrasybulus to rouse thern from 
their lethargy. 

T. But remember that you had your fellow-christ- 
ians of Europe to sympathize with you and inspire 
you to revolt. 

G. Inspire us to revolt? Every means was used 
by them to discourage our very existence. All the 
Christian poets seemed to invoke their Qniise to aid 
them to sing the degeneracy and degradation of our 
race. The European kingdoms and republics plun- 
dered our monuments, burnt our libraries, and to the 
year 1715 held possession of a part of our country. 
Their classical scholars having no originality to pro- 
duce words and sentences of their own, borrowed 
from the pages of our forefathers and lashed our bit- 
ter existence. Thus you see. Dr. Tenbel, that we 
were the matwfacturers of our own independence. 

T. As regards the sacrifices your nation made for 
liberty, I was an eye-witness. I saw your Patriarch 
at Constantinople, fall without a murmur, beneath 
the executioner. I saw thousands of conspirators 
beheaded in the streets, meeting the death-blow of 
the executioner with a smile. 1 saw the daring of 
your land-soldiers, and the supernatural intrepidity 
of the leaders of your fire-ships. But the question 



44 THE CHAIR OF A PRESIDENT PREFERABLE TO THRONES. 

arises, '^ Would the oiher nations of Europe disregard 
death for freedom, with the same alacrity as the 
Greeks'?" 

G. Why not, if Freedom prompts them to revolt? 

T. The Kings of Europe have fortified themselves 
so strongly by science, by destructive inventions, and 
by diplomatic alliance, that they can soon check any 
revolt. The fate of brave Poland vouches for the 
truth of this assertion. 

G. Vainglorious autocrats ! What do they accu- 
mulate while on earth, but perpetual stings of a guilty 
conscience; fears and torments for injured honor? 
Unfortunate mortals ! 1 would rather be a sufferer 
of human injustice, than have chance and usurpation 
place on my head a crown ! Let the autocrats of the 
world learn that Democracy rewards a gifted mind 
with its command, and if they were men of sense 
they would abandon their golden thrones for the easy 
arm-chair of a President! Let us, Tenbel Effendi, 
open the page of history and read the lives of the 
Autocrats, Tiberius, Claudius, Caligula, and others. 
Let us view the destiny of their courtiers, who ac- 
quired so much power and favor by upholding an 
abominable despotism. None of them shall we find 
happy. No man of sound judgment would eriYY 
their station in life. Must I repeat other instances? 
But you have read, criticised and reflected, and you 
know the condition of tyrants. Let enlightened 
opinion spread her wings over the world, and repub- 
lican principles will be admired and adopted by every 
nation. 

T. If I ever had a spark of patriotism in my 
soul, now it is excited by you ! 1 see through the 
mist of diplomacy. I behold my nation's power 
tottering, but on deep reflection I perceive that a 
democratic government can be established in Tur- 
key, because her population, being composed of vari- 
ous nations, resembles in that point that of the United 
States. The Greeks are the most numerous, power- 
ful and industrious; the Turks easily yield to gentle 



TO ENTHRONE LIBERTY ON MOUNT TAURUS. 45 

innovation, as we have experienced ; tlie Armenians 
and Jews are peaceful and wealthy, and are begin- 
ning to favor education; and the Albanians are brave 
and memorably fond of learning. All these races 
will serve to retard, and perhaps bar the advance of 
Russia, in case England and France are not crippled, 
too soon, by that terror of the North. 

G. Dr. Tenbel, you must know that influences, 
which lead to such results, have already begun to 
operate. The Sultan, as 1 see by the papers, has 
appointed the classical Emir Pasha, who graduated 
with high honors at Cambridge, in England, as head 
of twenty thousand schools after the European sys- 
tem. 

T. Emir Pasha introducing the Grecian Classics 
among the Turkish youth ! Here is already a fore- 
runner of the annihilation of Mohammedanism. I 
feel an earnest desire to participate in this glorious 
work of reformation. 

G. Go then to Constantinople, friend Dr. Tenbel, 
go and offer yourself, as a classical teacher, and time 
will open the eyes of your countrymen to the reason 
of their being caressed by kings. Thus will they 
learn the true principles of government, and pave the 
way for republicanising the Orient, and cause that 
vast brotherhood of nations, with a unanimous voice 
to enthrone liberty on Mt. Taurus ! 

T. Friend Sophologiotatopantochouperiplanome- 
noS; be not too sanguine; you are like the Americans, 
whose watchword is " go ahead." Political change 
in Turkey requires the experience and trials of half 
a century; we must undermine the ignorance that 
binds the inhabitants of those Vv^ide extended regions. 
Not till then can we venture to whisper to them the 
blessings of democratic government. Your nation, 
like a torch, placed in the central watch-tower of the 
Old World, the anciently originated democracy, whose 
light, by domestic discord, and foreign insult and 
rapacity, has been two thousand years buried. Your 
people has lately, once more, aroused its powers, and 



46 TURKEY IS THE APPLE OF DISCORD. 

snatched the torch of democratic freedom. Yon, 
despising to be dependent on the great powers, 
who wished to render your king absohite, resisted 
the hydra of diplomacy, and forced your king to 
sign a constitution. This victory should be employed 
to give a fresh impulse to the plough, the hammer, 
the loom, and the keel. True democracy is a source 
of peace, and not of bloody conquest. It is a broth- 
erhood of nations, laboring for the blessings of 
n:iorals, peace and education. Let the Greeks give a 
bright example of their improvement — let them con- 
sider that the liberty and prosperity, which they en- 
joy, is granted by the God of peace and harmony, 
who has surrounded them with monarchies, whose 
interest is in nursing the strength of Greece. Let 
your nation be a shining light, and certainly the Mo- 
hammedans will appreciate and envy their neighbor, 
and shape their own policy by hers. The new 
democracy, which Turkey must gain, is that of Ly- 
curgus and Solon, attended with Christian peace, 
not that of Julius Csesar. A republican government 
does not require mercenary soldiers, nor a diplomatic 
alliance. It belongs to the people, and they are its 
pillars and its defenders. But, looking into the 
future, I can see that Democracy would give to the 
Greeks a great preponderance over the Turks. Thus 
the country, through the majority of votes, would 
fall again into your hands. The Greeks, being earlier 
practitioners of national politics and better linguists, 
for electioneering, would gain the favor of the Jews 
and Armenians, and even that of the Turks, to put 
them into office. 

G. The Greeks might, for a season, keep ahead 
of the Turks, but the spread of education, and the 
exciting of emulation for superiority, (since democra- 
cy favors only talent), would open a door for the 
Turks, and the other races, to preferment. T see 
your patriotism and diplomatic mind. 

T. I perceive that, by your plan, Turkey is to be 
Hellenised over again. Her lot has been cast be- 



TURKEY IS THE APPLE OF DISCORD. 47 

tweeii avaricious powers. Slie is the apple of dis- 
cord. I see that your patriotism and philanthropy 
contribute well to the interest of your nation. But 
my nation is destined to become the prey of some 
race or other : so I prefer to see her land governed 
by the unanimous voice of the whole people than to 
fall into the hands of emperors. I therefore pray 
Heaven to grant me life to devote to the education of 
her youth — nothing I desire, on earth better, than to 
see our efforts meet with the hoped result, and then 
let fate cut the thread of this existence. 

G. If Turkey can obtain one thousand such 
patriots, she will be saved from imperial harpies. 
Then will the tide of civilization roll to the borders 
of India, and break through the wall of China, not 
battling with the sword of legions, but witli the 
spear of argument. Greece and Turkey were the 
rostrums where the only confederates of democracy 
first deliberated, and here the spirit of common- 
wealths 7nust rise, like a delayed Phoenix, from the 
ashes of two thousand years. Reflect, my bosom 
friend, on the virtues and errors of the past, and the 
brilliant popular destiny, which will cause your 
endeavors to shine even to the realms of immor- 
tality. 



Errata. — Page 25, 6th line, for acquaintance read acquisition ; p. .33, 
line 19th, for pleeaks read fleeaks3 p. 34, line 2d; for evseveeash pronounce 
e/sayveeah. 



48 A GREEK WAR SONG. 



THE ENTHUSIASTIC GREEK SOLDIER ADDRESSING HIS 
WEAPONS. 

TRANSLATED EROM THE GREEK BY A. G. ALEXANDER. 

My smooth and cutting scimetar resplendant ! 
My dark and burning gun, beloved attendant ! 

Come on, the Moslems scattering ; 

The tyrants forces shattering ; 

With blood our freedom nourish ; 

And you shall ever flourish ! 

Amid the lightning's flash, the thunder's roaring, 
The tempest-whistle, and the torrents pouring, 

O'er mountain passes, hovering 

I go the foes discovering. 

Whose blood our land shall nourish, 

Sword, ever mayst thou jlourish ! 

When, sword, I see, o'er thee the purple gushing, 
And when, my gun, I hear thy bullet rushing, 

The Turkish dogs we're falling on, 

And Allah they are calling on, 

Such music only send me. 

Live on, sword, to defend me ! 

The hour has come, the trumpet notes are sounding, 
And wildly through my veins the blood is bounding ; 

The roaring guns are flashing, 

The ringing swords are clashing ; 

The miscreant Turks are routed. 

And " long live Greece " is shouted ! 

Yes, by the holy Patriarch of our nation, 
Gregjory, who fell by base assassination, 

W^hile tears flow from their fountain, 

And I can climb the mountain, 

I'll march on, burning, slaying. 

But never for quarter praying.* 

* See the collection of the Greek popular songs published at 
Andover, by the author, in the Essay on the Ancient and Modern 
Greek languages. 



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